MLB News

Hot Wire: 10 guys to grab off fantasy waivers

Brantley, Tucker, Ziegler among players to add now

By
Tyler MaherMLB.com

Need an impact arm or bat that can give your fantasy team a boost? Whether you're looking for an injury replacement or someone to stash on your bench, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or long-term fix to pick up today. Check out the following 10 players -- all sitting on waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help your team in Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball, the Official Commissioner Game of MLB.com. All statistics and ownership percentages are current through Tuesday.

Michael Brantley, outfielder, Indians (42 percent owned)Brantley returned from the 10-day disabled list last Friday with a bang, ripping a two-run single in his first at-bat of the season. He's still shaking off some rust after being limited to just three Cactus League games during Spring Training, but it shouldn't be long before he's back in the swing of things. Brantley was an All-Star before being sidelined by a right ankle injury last year, batting .299/.357/.444 with nine home runs and 11 steals in 90 games, so he has the potential to be a multicategory contributor when healthy.Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

Need an impact arm or bat that can give your fantasy team a boost? Whether you're looking for an injury replacement or someone to stash on your bench, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or long-term fix to pick up today. Check out the following 10 players -- all sitting on waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help your team in Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball, the Official Commissioner Game of MLB.com. All statistics and ownership percentages are current through Tuesday.

Michael Brantley, outfielder, Indians (42 percent owned)Brantley returned from the 10-day disabled list last Friday with a bang, ripping a two-run single in his first at-bat of the season. He's still shaking off some rust after being limited to just three Cactus League games during Spring Training, but it shouldn't be long before he's back in the swing of things. Brantley was an All-Star before being sidelined by a right ankle injury last year, batting .299/.357/.444 with nine home runs and 11 steals in 90 games, so he has the potential to be a multicategory contributor when healthy.Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

Preston Tucker, outfielder, Braves (40 percent owned)After appearing in 146 games for the Astros between 2015 and '16, Tucker spent all of last year in Triple-A and flourished, tallying 24 home runs and 96 RBIs. He was traded to the Braves during the offseason and has quickly become a mainstay in left field for Atlanta, appearing in all 11 of the team's games thus far. The 27-year-old is off to a hot start, batting .303 with two home runs and nine RBIs, and should continue to be a solid run producer in the middle of the Braves' lineup.Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Mike Foltynewicz, starter, Braves (39 percent owned)Foltynewicz has been a different pitcher since simplifying his delivery during the offseason, posting a 2.93 ERA over his first three starts, with an 18:5 K/BB ratio in 15 1/3 innings. While he's always thrown hard, averaging over 96 mph on his fastball for his career, his pitches are more effective now that he's locating them better. After increasing his strikeout rate and workload every year since debuting in 2014, the 26-year-old appears poised for a breakout.Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

Jacob Barnes, reliever, Brewers (29 percent owned)With Corey Knebel (left hamstring) landing on the disabled list last week, Barnes is in the mix to pick up saves until Knebel returns, which won't be until May at the earliest. Although Barnes has already blown a pair of save chances, he'll likely get additional opportunities after being one of the team's most reliable setup men last year, when he had a 4.00 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and a 10.0 K/9 rate over 72 innings.Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Tyler Mahle, starter, Reds (27 percent owned)Mahle made a positive first impression as a late-season callup last year, notching a 2.70 ERA over the first four starts of his career while averaging just under 93 mph with his fastball. Ranked as a Top 100 prospect by MLB Pipeline entering 2018, the 23-year-old is looking to build off that success as well as his strong Minor League track record, which includes a 2.85 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and a 4.5 K/BB ratio.Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Jose Peraza, shortstop, Reds (27 percent owned)After slashing .324/.352/.411 in 72 games as a rookie in 2016, Peraza slumped to .259/.297/.324 in 143 games last year. While the speedster's success at the plate is closely tied to his BABIP, which fell from .361 in '16 to .293 last year, he's a reliable source of steals after topping 20 thefts in each of the past two seasons. With the game tilted towards power, and stolen bases declining across the sport, players who still run are becoming increasingly valuable in fantasy leagues, making Peraza worth a look in most formats. His dual eligibility at shortstop and second base is also a bonus.Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Brad Ziegler, reliever, Marlins (26 percent owned)It can be hard to find saves early in the season -- before injuries and underperformance open the door for bullpen change -- but Ziegler is still available in nearly three quarters of leagues despite having a clear hold on the Marlins' closing job. While the 38-year-old doesn't miss many bats (lifetime 6.0 K/9 rate), he's been effective throughout his career with a 2.66 ERA, a 3.40 FIP and a 1.25 WHIP. Ziegler is also a proven closer with 96 career saves under his belt, so he should get a fairly lengthy leash despite scuffling early on.Consider in: 10-team mixed leagues

Eduardo Rodriguez, starter, Red Sox (24 percent owned)Injuries and inconsistency have prevented Rodriguez from realizing the promise he flashed during his rookie season in 2015, when he went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 21 starts. After increasing his strikeout rate to 9.8 K/9 in 137 1/3 innings last year, the 25-year-old could be primed for a breakout in '18. Although Rodriguez lasted only 3 2/3 innings against the Rays in his return from the disabled list Sunday, he showcased his elite strikeout potential with seven whiffs.Consider in: 12-team mixed leagues

Lucas Duda, first baseman, Royals (17 percent owned)Duda has been one of the steadiest power hitters in baseball over the past few years, belting at least 27 home runs in three of the past four seasons and matching his career high with 30 last year. He also walks a good amount (career 11.4 percent walk rate), which has helped him stay in the lineup even as his batting average has fallen from .253 in 2014 to .217 last year. Duda's struggles against lefties make him likely to be platooned, but owners in daily formats should consider the 32-year-old sluggerConsider in: 15-team mixed leagues

Randal Grichuk, outfielder, Blue Jays (9 percent owned)Grichuk hits the ball hard (career 39.6 percent hard-hit rate) and in the air (career 43.5 percent fly-ball rate), which makes him a threat to go deep whenever he makes contact. He was a popular sleeper during the preseason after slugging 63 homers with the Cardinals from 2015-17, despite averaging only 119 games per season. Now that Grichuk is in a more favorable home park north of the border, the 26-year-old has the potential to reach 30 home runs if he stays healthy and cuts down on his career 30 percent strikeout rate.Consider in: 15-team mixed leagues